Praveen Kumar of Uttar Pradesh has applied for a position on the BCCI junior selection committee. The BCCI announced five junior selector slots on August 24, 2026, and the 39-year-old right-arm swing bowler, who retired from all cricket in 2018, is one of several former players who have submitted their names.
Throughout his career, Kumar played for India in 6 Tests, 68 ODIs, and 10 T20Is, establishing himself as one of the nation’s more reliable swing bowlers under favourable circumstances. He explained his choice to apply by citing his expertise as a selector for the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association and his involvement in coaching since retirement.
I did submit an application for the junior selection committee. I wanted to make a contribution to cricket now that I’m retired. Praveen Kumar was quoted by Indian Express as saying, “I considered applying because I have experience coaching and was a selector in UPCA.”
The current committee, led by S Sharath, will be replaced by the new junior selection panel, which will have five positions available throughout the nation’s zones.
What motivated Praveen Kumar to apply for the position of junior selector?
Praveen Kumar’s claimed driving force is his desire to return to the game after taking a break from it. He seems to have faith that he can make a significant contribution at the national junior level because of his dual ex
pertise in coaching and state-level selection at UPCA. His playing record provides pertinent background. During the 2011 England trip, Kumar was India’s top wicket-taker, finishing the series with 15 wickets, including a performance of 5/106 at Lord’s. In addition, he took 10 wickets in four games as India won the 2008 CB Series in Australia, proving his ability to succeed in situations that put discipline and technique to the test. These performances highlight the type of expertise a junior selector could bring to the position regarding swing bowling and conditions abroad.
Before applying for a national position, Kumar worked in domestic cricket administration through UPCA for a while, which gave him a working knowledge of the state-level selection procedure.
Also Read: WPL 2027: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women Retention List
Praveen Kumar is not the only one looking to join the newly formed junior selection committee. Alongside Kumar, Ashish Winston Zaidi and Sudeep Tyagi, who played for India in four ODIs and one T20I, submitted applications from the Central Zone.
Former Mumbai batsman Manoj Joglekar and former India off-spinner Ramesh Powar are two West Zone applicants. The BCCI has not yet confirmed a shortlist or disclosed the date of the interviews or final choices.
